Community-Supported Agriculture Part II - Deep Dive
This summer, we were lucky enough to sign up for a community-supported agriculture box offered by our local Queens County Farm Museum.
What is Community-Supported Agriculture? I’m so glad you asked. A “CSA” as it is often called, is a subscription, essentially, where you sign up to buy fresh produce and ingredients (it could be flowers, vegetables, meat, etc.) from a local farm or cooperative.
Sometimes with CSAs, like with ours, you get a set box or bag of food every week or few weeks, with whatever is in season. It is a great way to cook with new ingredients and get creative. The items are at their freshest and perhaps you haven’t ever thought of cooking with them before.
Other CSAs give you ‘shares,’ in which you can select and purchase certain amounts of farm items of your choice, based on what’s available that week, creating your own bring-home box or bag.
Why sign up for a CSA? First of all, the reliability is great. Think of how you may order recurring subscriptions from grocery stores or online retailers. Everyone loves something automatic and easy. But THIS way, you are supporting a local farm or farmer. That’s the second, and perhaps best, benefit. Third, you are getting items very close to the source and fresh - you know where your food is coming from and that it is being harvested locally (or regionally) and at the peak of freshness.
Consider what organizations in your area may offer a CSA. It could be a local farm if you live near one, it could be organized through a farmers market or green market if you have those come regularly to your neighborhood. Some larger local farms may also be searchable online, especially if they regularly deliver to a big metro area and can offer such a service along with their regular deliveries. Additionally, some companies offer a CSA partnership as a perk for the season.
CSAs are usually the most popular in the summer, but some cooperative stores that buy directly from farmers offer shares to consumers. Sometimes, you can trade shares for labor by volunteering at the coop (stocking shelves, etc.) if you don’t have the money to purchase the shares at full price. This is a great and equitable option.
Support your local farms! Most of our recipes this summer were fueled by the incredible produce from the CSA this year. We will DEFINITELY be signing up again next year.
What is the Queens County Farm Museum? It is a historic site and working farm in Queens, New York (yes, a farm IN New York City). They offer events, memberships, educational programs, and other great events. In the weeks following this post, they will be having their famous maize maze for the Halloween season - enjoy a fun day or night at the farm and maybe we’ll see you there!
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